Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
The Oxford Trinity Choir Lyrics

The first verse of "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" begins with a proclamation of the angels declaring "Glory to the newborn King." This refers to the birth of Jesus, whom they consider the King. The angels also bring the message of peace on earth and mercy for both God and sinners, emphasizing the reconciliation between humanity and God. The lyrics encourage all the nations to rise and join in the celebration of Jesus' birth, rejoicing with the angelic host and proclaiming that Christ has been born in Bethlehem. This verse serves as a joyful announcement of Jesus' arrival and the unity it brings.

The second verse of the song centers on the adoration of Christ by the highest heaven. It acknowledges that Jesus is the everlasting Lord and highlights the significant event of His incarnation. It portrays Jesus as the offspring of a Virgin's womb, emphasizing the miraculous nature of His birth. The lyrics describe Jesus as being both divine and human, veiled in flesh, and encourage the listeners to hail or give honor to this incarnate Deity. The verse concludes by emphasizing that Jesus, as Emmanuel, willingly chose to dwell among mankind. Overall, this verse explores the divine nature and voluntary presence of Jesus on Earth.

In the third verse, Jesus is hailed as the "heaven-born Prince of Peace" and the "Son of Righteousness." This highlights Jesus' role in bringing peace and righteousness to humanity. The lyrics also depict Jesus as the bringer of light and life to all, emphasizing the transformative power and healing that comes with Him. The verse goes on to describe Jesus humbling Himself by laying His glory aside in becoming human. His birth is further depicted as a means to save humanity from death, offering them new life. This verse showcases Jesus' significance as the Prince of Peace and the giver of new birth.

The final verse of the song rejoices in the announcement of the angels, proclaiming "Glory to the newborn King." It summarizes the key themes of the previous verses, emphasizing the glory and honor due to Jesus as the newborn King. The lyrics acknowledge that Jesus was born to raise the sons of the earth, symbolizing His role in offering salvation and new life to humanity. It further reinforces the idea that Jesus was born to ensure that humanity does not face spiritual death. The verse, like the previous ones, highlights Jesus' central role in bringing redemption and rebirth, and concludes with an exclamation of "Hark! The herald angels sing," calling all to pay attention and join in praising the newborn King.